Today's Transportation Pulse
Logistics costs dip to $2.4 trillion as volatility becomes the new normal
The 2026 State of Logistics Report finds U.S. logistics expenses fell to $2.4 trillion, or 7.8% of GDP, down from $2.6 trillion in 2025. The study declares supply‑chain volatility a permanent condition driven by uneven global growth, tighter finance, geoeconomic shifts, labor constraints and energy price swings.
Also developing:
By the numbers: US IDFC partners with Chubb on $20B maritime reinsurance plan
Air Cargo Rates Surge Amid Middle East Conflict as Capacity Tightens and Fuel Costs Rise
Air cargo spot rates jumped 10% week‑on‑week to $2.67 per kilo as the Middle East conflict squeezes capacity and lifts jet‑fuel costs. Rates from the Middle East and South Asia surged 22% to $4.37 per kilo, outpacing a 12% global increase. Volume rebounds are modest, with a 4% worldwide rise driven by post‑Lunar New Year recovery in Asia‑Pacific, while overall tonnage remains 7% below last year. New UAE fuel‑terminal restrictions and a near‑doubling of jet‑fuel prices add further surcharge pressure on carriers.
Cold Chain Logistics In a Warming World
Rising global temperatures and volatile weather are threatening the pharmaceutical cold‑chain, jeopardizing vaccines and biologics that require strict temperature control. Industry leaders argue that AI‑driven analytics, real‑time IoT monitoring, and blockchain‑enabled transparency can predict disruptions and optimize routing. Packaging providers...
LA Metro Increases Highway Expansion Budget by 40%
Los Angeles Metro announced a $887.1 million allocation for freeway expansion in the FY 26‑27 budget, marking a 40 percent increase over the prior year. The package includes a modest $46 million earmarked for bus improvements, which critics view as tokenism. Metro’s own studies...
From Diesel Prices to Cyberattacks: How the Iran War Is Affecting Trucking
Rising diesel prices, driven by Iran‑related oil flow disruptions, have pushed crude near $100 per barrel and added an estimated $40 billion in fuel costs across the U.S. trucking sector. The surge in fuel expenses is compressing margins, prompting carrier exits...
GoMetro Puts a Date on Its Electric Minibus Taxi Launch
GoMetro will roll out its eKamva electric minibus taxis on Century City routes in Cape Town starting October 2026. After two years of local testing, the company identified 15 taxi associations serving more than 25,000 commuters for the initial launch....
Automotive Intelligence Award Honoree Tom Kontos of Auto Auction Holdings
In this episode of the Auto Remarketing Podcast, host Nick Sulovich interviews Tom Kontos, Analytics Advisor at Auto Auction Holdings and a 2026 Automotive Intelligence Award honoree. Kontos recounts his unconventional entry into automotive data from a mineral economics background,...
Wayve, Uber and Nissan Launch Robotaxi Pilot in Tokyo
Uber has signed a memorandum of understanding with Nissan and UK‑based AI firm Wayve to launch a robotaxi pilot in Tokyo, targeting operation by the end of 2026. The service will use Nissan’s Leaf equipped with Wayve’s end‑to‑end AI driver...
SONAR's Real‑transaction Data Beats Ghost‑load DAT Signals
Ken Idunno Adamo was the cheerleader of team weather in February. He couldn't see that the freight market was cooking because of the sub-prime nature of DAT's data. I don't blame Ken for not taking the $5k bet, knowing that...
LaGuardia Crash Signals Overstretched Aviation System Limits
A deadly runway collision at LaGuardia is more than an accident—it’s a warning about the limits of an overstretched aviation system. https://open.substack.com/pub/milesobrien/p/the-warning-we-cant-and-yet-do-ignore?r=1lalbc&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
Ethiopia’s Bishoftu Mega Airport Secures Fresh Financing Momentum
Ethiopia’s Bishoftu International Airport, a $12.5 billion megaproject designed for up to 110 million passengers a year, is moving from planning to construction with a target completion around 2030. Italy has entered financing discussions, signaling European confidence and adding a new layer...
PPP Model Grants Central Assistance, Private Operators Run Fleet
Operational Model: The scheme works on a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. The government provides "Central Assistance" per kilometer for 10 years, while private operators manage the fleet.
Air Data & Flow Measurement Solutions for UAVs & Autonomous Flight
Aeroprobe has joined Unmanned Systems Technology’s global supplier ecosystem as a Silver supplier, offering ISO 9001:2015‑certified air data and flow measurement systems for UAVs. Its product line includes micro air data computers, multi‑function probes, pitot‑static probes, and total‑air‑temperature sensors designed to...
Kyrgyzstan Hopes to Connect CKU Line to Broader Rail Network, Middle Corridor
Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov announced that the China‑Kyrgyzstan‑Uzbekistan (CKU) railway will be completed by 2030, linking Kashgar in China to Andijon in Uzbekistan through Kyrgyzstan. The line will integrate with Kyrgyzstan’s existing rail network around Issyk‑Kul and connect to Kazakhstan,...
STB Sets 2Q26 Rail Cost Adjustment Factor
The Surface Transportation Board (STB) approved the Association of American Railroads' Rail Cost Adjustment Factor (RCAF) figures for the second quarter of 2026. The unadjusted RCAF rose to 1.016, a 0.1% increase from Q1, while the adjusted RCAF slipped to...
America’s Drone Future
The FAA forecasts that nearly two million drones will operate in U.S. airspace within a few years, yet state and local governments lack affordable, real‑time monitoring solutions. Federal proposals such as Part 108 and expanded JIATF‑401 authority aim to tighten counter‑UAS...
How the CPUC Handles AV Permits, Data, and Enforcement (Pat Tsen)
In this episode, Pat Tsen, Deputy Executive Director for Consumer Policy, Transportation, and Enforcement at the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), explains how the CPUC regulates autonomous vehicle (AV) passenger services, detailing the permit process, data collection requirements, and enforcement...
Tips to Make Your Boat More Efficient
Boaters can boost fuel economy by focusing on fuel quality, propeller choice, and operating habits. Using Top Tier gasoline—or a marine additive when non‑Top Tier fuel is unavoidable—keeps injectors clean and reduces corrosion. Selecting the proper propeller pitch and diameter...
West Kitikmeot Secures ATCO Backing
West Kitikmeot Resources Corp. secured a C$10 million (US$7.4 million) investment from Calgary‑based ATCO Ltd., granting the infrastructure firm a 40 % equity stake. The funding will support the staged development of the Grays Bay Road and Port Project, an all‑season 230‑km road...
Local Innovation Largely Reduces Average Truck Waiting Times at WFS’ Milan Malpensa Cargo Terminal
Worldwide Flight Services (WFS) has cut average truck processing time at Milan Malpensa’s cargo terminal to 48 minutes by deploying an SMS‑based door‑assignment system. The airport, handling about 65% of Italy’s airfreight, sees roughly 28,000 trucks annually, with 45% now...
Rail Shippers Raise Concerns About Middle East Conflict (UPDATED 3/23)
The Fertilizer Institute and the Alliance for Chemical Distribution have each written to the Surface Transportation Board urging Class I railroads to prioritize fertilizer shipments and to scrutinize any conflict‑related surcharges. The letters cite the closure of the Strait of...
Ontario, CA Hits Extreme Tightening as Freight Booms
Ontario, California flipped to "Extreme Tightening" for capacity over the weekend, as the freight economy starts to heat up and Spring shipping starts to cook. Ontario is heart of the Inland Empire, the ocean of warehouses and distribution centers near...
Leadership Lessons at Sea: A Refreshing Ship Captain’s Tale
Everyone’s talking about shipping but most of the books about commercial ships are dry as dust. Once upon a time I read one that wasn’t. No acronyms. No jargon. Just stories about leadership moments at sea by @GoldenStripesLS, a ship captain...
OPINION: Why Good Data Matters More than AI in Transport
Australian transport leader ITS Australia argues that high‑quality, governed data is the true catalyst for AI‑driven improvements on roads. A national research project showed that integrating real‑time vehicle and bicycle data with traditional traffic feeds can predict conflicts, optimise signals...
Airlines Can Own Cabin Connectivity with Quvia's Grid & Sync
Airlines have an opportunity to rethink who controls the cabin connectivity layer, putting themselves in the driver’s seat. We sit down with Quvia to learn how it's 'Grid' and 'Sync' solutions can help airlines follow the cruise industry and take...
Unblocking Hormuz Strait May Avert Global Depression
🤙🏻 Call me, beep me, if you want to unblock the Strait of Hormuz and unwind the largest energy supply shock in history to avoid a global depression.
Video: Expectations for Air Cargo Demand in 2026
At the IATA World Cargo Symposium in Lima, executives forecast that air cargo volumes will keep expanding in 2026 despite ongoing market volatility. LATAM Cargo reported moving over one million tonnes in 2025, generating $1.7 billion in revenue, underscoring the sector’s...
AI Pervades Every Industry, From Truckers to Chatbots
I’ve seen guys on here get mad at that AI trucker for texting while driving 🤣 Every industry has their own AI girl https://t.co/cZMJMwqoRJ
Averitt Reports Rising LTL Activity
Averitt, a regional LTL provider, is seeing an up-tick in LTL activity. - Transport Topics https://t.co/VUzWyUSgRw
CallRevu Launches Its Partner Code of Ethics, Taking the Lead Across Automotive to Address Industry Gaps in AI Accountability and...
CallRevu, a leading automotive communication intelligence platform, introduced a Partner Code of Ethics to formalize ethical standards for its technology partners. The code focuses on AI transparency, data stewardship, customer protection, and accountability as a service, making compliance a prerequisite...
SONAR Subscription Eliminates Guesswork on Rally Resilience
Adamo needs a SONAR subscription to augment his DAT one. He wouldn't have had to guess on the resilience of the rally.
Billions for Roads, Not Saving Children From Violence
Are you kidding me? You think I forgot about the kids brutality killed? You think I don’t remember that Congress used this CDC stat to hand @PeteButtigieg $2 TRILLION to “fix” our roads? Where did that lifesaving money go Luca? https://t.co/Fd5hnbkvGq
Egypt Inaugurates 56.5km Monorail
Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El‑Sisi inaugurated the 56.5 km East‑of‑Nile monorail on March 20, linking Cairo’s Nasr City to the New Administrative Capital. The line features 40 Alstom Innovia 300 rubber‑tyred trains capable of 80 km/h and a theoretical capacity of 500,000 passengers per day. The...
How Tata Punch Combines Compact Dimensions with SUV Identity
The Tata Punch merges a sub‑4‑metre hatchback footprint with SUV‑style design, ground clearance, and safety features, creating a micro‑SUV that fits Indian city streets. Measuring 3,876 mm long, 1,742 mm wide and 1,615 mm tall, it offers 193 mm of clearance and a 5‑star...
An Alaska Pilot’s Bizarre Announcement: Why Is She Even Saying These Things?
On March 21, 2026 Alaska Airlines flight AS617 from Liberia to Los Angeles taxied out and then returned to the gate, ultimately being cancelled. The Boeing 737‑900ER was scheduled to depart at 6:12 PM and land around 11:30 PM, but the captain...
This Train Drives Itself and It’s Already on U.S. Tracks
Parallel Systems, an LA‑based startup, is piloting autonomous freight rail cars that operate without a traditional locomotive. The driverless units rely on a suite of cameras, lidar sensors and remote operators to navigate existing U.S. tracks. If the trials prove...
A Deadly Collision at LaGuardia Airport, and Trump Postpones Strait of Hormuz Deadline
An Air Canada Express jet collided with a fire truck on the tarmac at LaGuardia Airport, killing both pilots. The crash forced an immediate shutdown of all flights at the busy New York hub while emergency crews worked to secure...
Why Follow-the-Sun Transportation Financial Management Is Critical for Global Ocean Shipping
Global ocean shipping operates continuously, yet many shippers still manage freight financials from a single regional hub, creating costly delays. Complexities such as multi‑currency billing, port surcharges, and demurrage amplify the need for real‑time oversight. Follow‑the‑sun transportation financial management distributes...
Spot Rates Rising, Poised to Lift Contract Rates
Trucking spot rates on the move; contract rates stable for now. Spot rates are going to pull up contract rates. https://t.co/ZwPKv4PP3D
Why Is Canada’s Public Transit so Much Cheaper — and Better — Than the United States’?
George Wu’s analysis highlights why Canada’s public‑transit systems are both cheaper and more heavily used than those in the United States. Building a light‑rail line in Kitchener‑Waterloo costs roughly $71 million CAD per mile (about $52 million USD), compared with Los Angeles’...
What Makes Civilians Evacuate During War
A July 2022 survey of over 2,000 Ukrainians shows that clear evacuation information and organized transport increase the likelihood of civilians fleeing conflict zones by 10‑20 %. Having a personal evacuation plan boosts the odds by roughly 20 %, while women are especially...
ITS World Congress and Highways UK to Co-Locate at NEC Birmingham in 2027
The 33rd Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) World Congress will take place at Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre from 25‑29 October 2027, sharing adjoining halls with Highways UK on 26‑27 October. This is the first UK‑hosted ITS World Congress since London in 2006. Both events will...
Vehicle Collides with Plane at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport
An unoccupied ground tug rolled into a stationary Frontier Airlines Airbus A321 at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport just before 1 a.m., causing a collision with no occupants on board. Ohio State Highway Patrol opened an investigation, noting the tug was not...
Jet Collides with Fire Truck at New York's LaGuardia Airport. 2 Pilots Killed
An Air Canada regional jet collided with a fire‑truck on LaGuardia’s runway during a landing attempt, killing both pilots and injuring roughly 40 passengers and crew. The fire‑truck had been cleared to cross the runway to respond to a separate...
Ever Given’s Suez Mishap Sparked a Shipping Saga
Five years ago, MV Ever Given took a right turn in the Suez and rammed Asia and hung its stern up on Africa and started my wild ride with What's Going on With Shipping. https://t.co/43E5IpnOsh
Travelers Face Hours-Long TSA Delays & BTS Makes a Comeback
The episode covers three main stories: the federal shutdown‑driven TSA staffing crisis and the Trump administration’s controversial deployment of ICE agents to airports; the escalating Iran‑related oil conflict, its impact on fuel prices, airline capacity cuts, and downstream effects on...
HS2 Train Speeds Could Be Cut to Save Money
The UK government is asking HS2’s builder to evaluate lower operating speeds on the London‑Birmingham segment to curb spiralling costs. The high‑speed line, originally designed for 360 km/h, now faces a projected price tag of over £100 bn and a likely completion...
How Regular Oil Deliveries Help Irish Kitchens Run More Efficiently
Regular, scheduled bulk oil deliveries are transforming Irish hospitality kitchens by eliminating fryer downtime, cutting oil costs up to 30 % and improving food quality. Suppliers such as Frylite Solutions coordinate weekly or just‑in‑time drops that keep fryers running during peak...
Dubai Airport Bounces Back Despite Middle East Turmoil
Dubai International and Al Maktoum airports demonstrated operational resilience amid recent Middle East airspace disruptions, dynamically opening and closing corridors in coordination with the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority. The airports processed over one million passengers in a 17‑day window...
2 Extra Inches On 237 Aircraft: EasyJet Orders New Airbus A320neo Seats As Newcastle Base Opens
easyJet announced a partnership with Mirus Aircraft Seating to install lightweight Kestrel seats on roughly 240 Airbus A320neo family aircraft, delivering extra legroom and a 20% weight reduction. The lighter seats are projected to cut fuel burn enough to avoid...
Designing Reliability in Times of Crisis
Airbus Helicopters is positioning its dual‑use, modular rotorcraft to meet the growing demand for adaptable assets in a world where the line between war and peace is blurring. Vice‑President William Sampson highlights how the H140, H145 and H160 families integrate...